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We all know the New York Yankees were in the market for a left fielder. But while linked to San Diego Padres slugger Juan Soto, the Bronx Bombers instead swung a trade with the rival Red Sox for Alex Verdugo — a right fielder.
Headed to Boston are Richard Fitts, Greg Weissert, and Nicholas Judice.
Boston skipper Alex Cora seemed to believe something was in the works for the Yanks after a call with their manager Aaron Boone.
“I called Aaron Boone yesterday, FaceTimed him, and he gave me this kinda-like smile, this look. He was very happy. So something big might happen over there,” Cora said, according to MassLive.
Verdugo, who arrived in Bean Town in the Mookie Betts trade, is a career .281/.337/.428 hitter. Last season, the 27-year-old outfielder batted .264 with 13 home runs, and 54 RBI. The lefty swinging Verdugo is set to be a free agent after the 2024 season.
Fitts, a 23-year-old righty, struck out 163 batters and walked 43 over 152.2 innings at Double-A. As part of his arsenal that includes a sweeper, cutter and changeup, his fastball sits around 93 mph but reaches 97. The 22-year-old Judice was drafted in the eight round in this past year’s draft.
Weissert, 28, debuted with the Yankees in 2022 but has only appeared in 29 games at the major league level, and posted a 4.60 ERA.
Looking ahead
Jon Heyman of the New York Post believes the trade doesn’t mean the Bronx Bombers won’t still pursue Soto or free agent Cody Bellinger.
The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty echoed the sentiment, but pondered another possible move.
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